
Grandfather^ s Love Pie 


MIRIAM GAINES 


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“AUNTEE, I’LL THINK OF SOMETHING— I PROMISE 
YOU I WILL.” 



GRANDFATHER’S 

Love Pie 


BY 

Miriam Gaines 


□ 


ILLUSTRATIONS BY 

JOHN EDWARD WHITING 


□ , 



1913 

JOHN P. MORTON & COMPANY 

INCOBPOBATED 


Louisville, Kentucky 



Copyright, 1913, 

BY 

Miss Miriam Gaines. 


TO THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED FATHER, 

John Thomas Gaines, 


THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS DEDICATED 


tl 


GRANDFATHER’S LOVE PlE 


L 

“O, AUNTEE, what is it?’^ 

The awed young voice paused at the 
threshold. 

It was a sight the little girl had never 
witnessed before — she had seen Auntee 
sad at occasional intervals, and a few 
times had looked upon tears in the 
usually merry eyes of her beloved 
chum, but never before had she beheld 
Auntee sobbing in such an abandon- 
ment of grief. 

There was a very tender tie of love 
between these two — Alsie, the dear 
little twelve-year-old daughter of an 
older sister of the family, and Alice, 
the only remaining unmarried child of 
a household of many sons and daugh- 
ters. 


1 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


The family circle had never been 
broken, however, and it was a house- 
hold where love prevailed, for al- 
though several members lived in far- 
away homes, the flame of affection 
burned as brightly and the cord of love 
bound them together as strongly as did 
ever the same ties bind their sturdy 
Scotch ancestors into clans. 

Auntee (for that was Alsie’s baby 
name for the aunt, with whom so many 
happy hours had been spent) rose 
half way up from the bed with a 
somewhat startled movement, but the 
sight of the stricken little face at her 
side seemed to bring back afresh the 
reminder of her pain, and she again 
buried her face in the pillow with a 
sob. 

After a few moments, however, the 
young woman put her arm tenderly 
around the little namesake and tried 
to explain. 

“I did not intend to burden you, 
Alsie dear, with my grief, but I feel so 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


sad and somehow I just couldn’t keep 
it shut in any longer — it had to come 
out. But I thought you were playing 
with your little friend Margaret, and 
I knew mother had started for the drug 
store on an errand which would surely 
keep her an hour.” 

‘‘Auntee, are you so sad because dear 
Uncle James has gone away? You 
know grandma said he had been called 
to his heavenly home, and there are 
lots of us left to make you bright and 
happy.” 

“So there are, Alsie, and I will try to 
take courage in that thought, for 
surely God wouldn’t take another 
loved one away from us so soon — so 
soon.” The last two words were spoken 
pensively and as though she was un- 
conscious of the presence of the child. 
Little Alsie’s face became white. 

“O, Auntee, you don’t mean that 
dear grandfather” — her voice faltered 
and she finished in a whisper — “is 
worse?” 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


Auntee regained her self-possession in 
a moment and said hastily, “No, dear 
child, no worse. But sit down with 
me and I will tell you all about it. 
You must promise not to mention it to 
grandmother, however, for we will have 
to be brave together.” Then, sitting 
side by side in the pretty little blue 
bedroom where only a few months 
before so many joyous hours had been 
spent in fixing everything up daintily 
to meet the gaze of returned travelers. 
Aunt Alice related to young Alice the 
story of her trip to the doctor’s that 
very day, and how he had told her that 
the chances were against the recovery 
of the beloved father and grandfather, 
lying so patiently on his bed of pain in 
the south bedchamber. 

His health had begun to fail in the 
spring, but grandfather, with his broad 
shoulders, military bearing, and six 
feet of noble manhood, had never been 
sick within the memory of either of 
these two, and it was hard for them — 


GRANDFATHER'^S LOVE PIE 


or, indeed, any other — to conceive that 
it was more than a passing ailment, and 
would soon disappear. The family 
became vaguely uneasy as the spring 
merged into the summer, and a plan 
was proposed for the plump little 
five-foot “wifey’' to take her big hus- 
band, the Captain, on a long trip to 
the seashore and mountains. 

The trip had been taken, but Captain 
Gordon’s condition did not show the 
improvement that the anxious mem- 
bers of his family had so earnestly 
hoped to see, and after the return the 
busy little wife immediately set about 
securing a couch for his office, for the 
invalid insisted that he was able to 
resume his duties. She explained that 
“the Captain might rest a little now 
and then from his labors,’’ for the 
sturdy old soldier would not for a 
moment entertain the thought of giving 
up his work — the loved, chosen pro- 
fession which he had followed so faith- 
fully and successfully since he came 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


out — a gallant young officer of twenty- 
three — from the Civil War, the sole 
survivor of the four members of his 
household who had gone forth to fight 
for what was to be the Lost Cause. 

Everything at the office was made 
especially comfortable, for how willingly 
would every bne have spared the quiet, 
kind professor, who combined so won- 
derfully strength and manliness with gen- 
tleness and lovableness of disposition. 

The experiment lasted one week — he 
came home at the close of the sixth 
day and said quietly, ‘T must get a 
substitute until I am well enough to 
attend to my work as it should be 
done.” So the substitute was secured 
and a consultation of doctors followed, 
with the result that a new line of treat- 
ment had been adopted. A few weeks 
failed to bring good results, so other 
treatments had been tried, until, a few 
weeks before, a skilled specialist had 
ordered him off to the infirmary for a 
period of several weeks. 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


The days spent here were days of 
great suffering, but grandfather was a 
man of monumental patience, and no 
word of complaint passed his lips. 
It was just at this time that a crushing 
blow had been dealt the hopeful, 
cheery little wifey, who had always 
been laughingly termed ^‘boss of the 
ranch,” “head of the house,” and such- 
like terms, but whose right to these 
titles had never been disputed by the 
indulgent husband or devoted sons and 
daughters, for her ready hand always 
carried with it relief, and her merry 
laugh brought cheer and sunshine. 

Her only brother had been stricken, 
and died within a few days, but the 
brave little wife and mother had hidden 
her deep sorrow in her bosom, and 
after a few days, only a smiling face 
was presented about the house. 

When the allotted time at the infirm- 
ary had expired, the young doctor, 
who had studied the case with such 
zeal and attended his patient with the 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


tender care of a son, brought him back 
to his home. 

After having put her father to bed, to 
rest from the weariness of the trip, 
Alice turned around to the waiting 
physician, a foreboding anxiety in her 
heart, and tried to make her question 
quite natural: 

“Well, doctor, how soon can your 
friend, the specialist, have father well 
again?” 

After a pause Dr. Emerson replied, 
“He will not continue on the case. Miss 
Gordon.” 

“O, doctor, what do you mean? He 
has not given it up? I can not relin- 
quish hope — I won’t.” 

“And I do not wish you to. Miss 
Gordon. Dr. Helm did not find your 
father’s condition to be what he had 
expected, but we are going to begin at 
once a treatment that has been prac- 
ticed with great success in Germany, in 
cases like his.” 

Nothing more was said at that time 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


between them, but the memory of that 
conversation was indelibly printed on 
Alice’s mind, and a long night of the 
keenest anguish she had ever experi- 
enced, followed. 

She thought, and thought, and 
thought, until the sounds from the sick- 
chamber near by, would bring a flood 
of tender memories and her pillow 
would be wet with tears. 

It was thus that most of the night was 
spent. Toward morning she sank into 
a deep slumber, but, when she wakened, 
a terrible leaden weight seemed to op- 
press her, and it was several hours be- 
fore the buoyant cheerfulness, with 
which she was by nature endowed, 
could again assert itself. 

After several days and nights spent 
thus, Alice came to the wise conclusion 
that the situation must be faced, for 
obvious reasons. 

After this decision was reached, she 
became more calm, and the next day, 
without consulting any member of the 


9 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


family, slipped away to the doctor’s 
downtown office, and waited patiently 
until he was at leisure to see her. 

Dr. Emerson seemed a little surprised 
at her appearance, but said, “What is 
it. Miss Gordon — what can I do for 
you?” 

“I only came. Dr. Emerson, to say to 
you that I am now ready to hear what 
you have to tell about my father. I 
want to know just how much we may 
hope for — or how little.” Her voice 
faltered, but she continued, “I could 
not listen a few days ago when you 
suggested that Dr. Helm was not able 
to relieve him, but tell me all now.” 

Perhaps it was because the kind 
physician felt sorry for the sorrowing 
daughter, or perhaps it was because, 
personally, he cherished a deep affec- 
tio n for the scholarly old gentleman on 
whom he was expending his most 
earnest efforts, but whatever the reason, 
he told her in the gentlest, kindest 
manner, enough to make her under- 


10 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


Stand that the chances were against 
her father’s recovery. His concluding 
remarks, however, were reassuring. 

Please do not understand for a mo- 
ment, Miss Gordon, that I have given 
up hope. I do not agree altogether 
with Dr. Helm, and I feel that we have 
good ground for expecting favorable 
results from the treatment that we 
have recently begun.” 

After hearing the news, Alice returned 
home, to find a letter in which was a 
small check from one of the loving 
family circle, to be spent in a Christmas 
present for the dear sick one. 

It had come to be a sort of habit in 
the family for a few of the far-away 
members to send little sums to Alice 
at Christmas time, in order that the 
presents should be such as would give 
service as well as pleasure. 

The carrying out of these commissions 
had always been a source of delight to 
both big and little Alice, for did they not 
know best of all the individual needs 


11 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


and hopes of each member of the 
household? Who, then, could so well 
plan and shop for the merry Christmas, 
which was always a success in the 
Gordon household? 

Yes, a merry, happy season it had 
always been for, while all the comforts 
of a refined home had ever been theirs, 
the provision of these comforts had 
required constant economy and man- 
agement on the part of the busy 
little “wifey” of the house. As the 
former children had grown up and 
flitted away from the home nest to 
establish families for themselves, they 
had gradually come to realize that it was 
because of not having so many things 
that they were enabled to get such a 
degree of pleasure from those gifts 
which just fitted the need, or perhaps 
those gifts, for which the ordinary 
craving might be counted an extrava- 
gance. 

It had always been the custom for 
each one of the family to hang up his 


12 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


or her stocking, and when the grand- 
children began to appear upon the 
scene, grandfather’s big sock always 
held a conspicuous place among the 
stockings of all sizes. 

It was the remembrance of all these es- 
tablished customs that had caused the 
entire breakdown of Alice’s walls of self- 
control (which she thought had been so 
well built) , and when little Alsie found 
her there, alone in her chamber, in 
such deep distress, it was not surpris- 
ing that the little maid was fright- 
ened. 

This was the first time that Alice had 
ever confided to the child anything that 
was, even, in a remote degree, depress- 
ing, but her heart was so overwrought 
that she had poured out the whole sad 
story to the little girl before time could 
be taken for consideration of the wis- 
dom of such a course. A flicker of 
doubt, however, came to her as she 
saw the troubled look of the child 
deepen into an expression of pain and 


13 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


perplexity, and she continued, half 
apologetically, 

“I ought not to feel so discouraged, 
dearie, I know. I ought to be brave, 
but when I tried to think what I could 
get for dear father with the checks that 
will surely be coming in to me, within 
the next two or three weeks, I felt 
so utterly broken-hearted that I could 
do nothing but cry.” The child put her 
arms tenderly around the neck of her 
beloved aunt, and gave her message of 
sympathy in mute kisses. 

“I am completely at a loss to know 
what to do,” said Alice, with emphasis. 
“Here is Christmas, only a month 
distant — I have made no preparation, 
for I have had no heart for it; we can 
not hang up the stockings after the 
usual merry fashion, for it would be 
only a farce; we should cry instead of 
laugh when we see them, so I feel almost 
desperate to know what to do. O, Alsie, 
can't we think of some plan by which 
we may give dear grandfather a merry 


14 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


Christmas, especially if it is to be his 
last with us?” 

‘‘Auntee, I’ll think of something — I 
promise you I will — and it will be soon, 
too — perhaps by to-morrow — but any- 
how by the day after, so trust to me 
and let us both hope that grandfather 
will get better.” 

“I will, dear — I will. There! I feel 
more hopeful already. Don’t you re- 
member, when you were a wee tot, 
and would come in and ask me for 
a piece of cake? When I would say, 
*Well, now, I wonder where grandma 
has put that cake?’ you would reply, so 
eagerly, ‘Fink hard, Auntee — fink hard.’ 
You knew well that a real hard think 
would bring results. Now we must both 
‘think hard’ and see if we can’t pro- 
duce a little genuine Christmas cheer.” 

They parted with this compact, and 
when Alice, half an hour later, walked 
into Captain Gordon’s sick-chamber, 
a pleasant smile was on her lips and her 
voice had regained its usual composure. 


15 


II. 


A DAY or two passed with little change 
in the condition of affairs, in the 
Gordon household, but on the third 
afternoon, following the conversation 
between the two Alices, the younger 
one came in rather suddenly, and 
announced, in a whisper, that she had 
an idea. 

In a little while Aunt Alice had sug- 
gested a walk “for a breath of fresh 
air,” with the result that they were 
soon out together, alone, walking in the 
lovely park which was close by. 

“You see, Auntee,” began Alsie, “it 
was this way — I tried and tried to 
think of some celebration, which would 
make us all cheerful and happy at 
Christmas, but the more I thought, the 
harder the problem seemed to get. We 
couldn’t have plays, for that would 
tire grandfather; a Christmas tree 
would remind us all of last Christmas, 


16 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


when dear Uncle James had such a 
beautiful one at his country place. It 
would make grandma cry — and perhaps 
the rest of us, too — to remember that 
that home had been broken up by the 
loss of the father and husband. Alto- 
gether, I was beginning to feel real 
discouraged. Mamma took me down 
town to lunch with her to-day, and 
the waiter brought in such a big, 
luscious piece of pie. You know, 
Auntee, I have always loved pie ’most 
as much as grandfather. I began to 
think how long it had been since he had 
had a single taste of pie, and yet he 
has never complained. I began to 
wish — O, so much — that grandfather 
could enjoy that delicious bit of pie. 
The tears came into my eyes, Auntee, 
and I said to mamma, ‘If grandfather 
could just eat this one piece of pie, 
mamma, I would be willing to do with- 
out pie for the rest of my life.’ 

“It was then, Auntee, that the idea 
came to me. Couldn’t we have a 


17 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


Christmas pie for grandfather which, 
instead of having a filling of rich cus- 
tards or fruits, would contain all the 
cunning little presents that we grand- 
children could make for him?’’ 

“Why, Alsie, what an idea! I’ve heard 
of the Jack Horner pie and other 
varieties, perhaps, but who would have 
thought of the idea of a Christmas pie 
of that kind! We’ll certainly carry it 
out, for your pretty idea was the off- 
spring of an unselfish impulse, and a 
sympathetic tear, and it surely will 
thrive and bear fruit.” 

“Let’s see, Auntee — a pie must al- 
ways be round, mus’n’t it?” 

“And this one will have to be big, 
too,” replied Alice, “for there are lots 
of us who want to have a finger in it. 
Those dear co-workers with father, 
who have kept his sick-room so fragrant 
and beautiful with flowers, must each 
be allowed a little space for a card of 
greeting. In fact, Alsie, I think it 
would be a good idea to invite all his 


18 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


most beloved circle of friends to send 
a little message of love, for only the 
other day he said to me, ‘There is 
nothing so acceptable to a man lying 
on a bed of sickness as an offering of 
love — be it a message, a flower, a visit, 
or a delicacy — it is delightful to be 
remembered.’ ” 

“Well, Auntee, I’ll see all the cousins 
within reach and write to the others, 
and you do the same with the grown 
folks of the family, and the rule must 
be that each is to put into the pie some- 
thing that will please grandfather or 
make him laugh.” 

“Fine, Alsie, fine. It’s a good rule to 
make, for it’s a ^ Merry Christmas' we 
are striving for, and I don’t believe 
our efforts will fail if we put into them 
all the love and energy which the family 
say you and I possess, in a like degree.” 

“We haven’t much time to lose, 
either, Auntee, for we have lots to do 
in the three weeks that remain to us. 
Now, as to business, what are we going 


19 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


to make the pie-crust of — I mean what 
material will take the place of the pie- 
crust, which you know is what holds 
the goodies?” 

“It must be considerably stronger 
than the crisp, brittle crust which 
Aunt Bettie brings to our table,” re- 
plied Aunt Alice with a laugh. 

After a moment she continued, “I 
wonder if we couldn’t get hold of one 
of those hat- boxes which are made to 
hold the enormous 'creations’ we see 
every day in the milliners’ shops, and 
on the heads of so many pretty girls. 
We can make the effort, anyhow, and 
if we don’t succeed in finding just what 
we want, needles and cardboard are 
plentiful and we can make a box to 
suit ourselves, for it must be at least 
twenty-five or thirty inches in diameter 
and six inches high to hold the filling.” 

They walked slowly homeward, dis- 
cussing various little points which 
occurred to them along the way, until, 
when Alice walked back into the front 


20 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


door of her home, what was her sur- 
prise and delight to feel that the weight 
of the sorrow, which had so oppressed 
her, was lightened. She felt almost 
buoyant in her eagerness for Christmas 
to come. 

And now a busy season began. It 
was hard to think of anything suitable 
for the invalid, for had not the loving 
hands of his wife and children provided 
everything that might add to the com- 
fort of the beloved head of the house- 
hold? 

There was one little feature that had 
been overlooked, however — grandfather 
possessed no foot-warmers. So Alsie’s 
energies were at once set to work on 
these articles, which were destined to 
be “real comforts” in the weeks which 
followed Christmas. 

The story of grandfather’s pie was 
soon spread, not only through the 
family, but also to a large circle of 
friends. Everybody was cautioned, 
however, to keep the secret from Mrs. 


21 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


Gordon, for it was decreed that the 
faithful little ‘Vifey” (no one had ever 
heard the Captain address his wife by 
any other name than thatj which he 
had bestowed upon her during their 
honeymoon) should share the surprise 
and pleasure with her husband. 

‘‘Mr. Doctor, what are you going to 
put in the Christmas pie?” exclaimed 
Alice merrily one morning, after telling 
the physician of the plan. 

‘‘I think ril contribute the turkey,” 
he answered with a smile. “A turkey, 
of course, which won’t take up too 
much space, and the dressing I’ll put 
in that turkey will be calculated to 
make any sick man well. Do you un- 
derstand?” 

Alice didn’t quite understand, but was 
willing to leave the matter in his hands. 

Little Jack was quite worried that he 
could think of nothing to make grand- 
father laugh, and one day when he was 
in the sick-chamber he blurted out, 
‘‘Grandfather, what would you rather 


22 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


have me give you for Christmas than 
anything else?” 

The laugh came then — before time — 
for it explained to grandfather the 
uneasy, doubtful expression which had 
enveloped the little lad’s face just 
previous to the asking of the question. 

“Well, I’ll tell you. Jack, what would 
please me more than anything else — a 
perfect report from your teacher. If 
you could bring me this, on Christmas 
Day, I would know that it meant hard 
work for a boy, who is as fond of play 
and mischief as you.” 

Nothing more was said on the subject, 
but little Jack passed out of the room 
with a stern resolution that that report 
should be forthcoming, and when Aunt 
Alice was told of it she exclaimed en- 
thusiastically, “O, Jacky boy, you 
must get that perfect report, even if it 
does mean hard work, and we’ll lay it 
in the very center of the pie, sealed up 
in the prettiest Christmas envelope 
that I can paint.” 


III. 


'‘Aunt Bettie, what are you going to 
put in the pie? For you know every- 
body must put in something to please 
grandfather or make him laugh,” asked 
Alsie, after detailing the plan to the 
dear old black mammy, who had been 
grandmother’s maid when she was a 
young lady in the long years ago. 

Aunt Bettie was considerably beyond 
sixty, but not many young “niggers” 
could get around as lively as she, and 
no one, who had ever dined in that 
household, could doubt her ability to 
cook the best meal ever brought to a 
table. 

“Nevah you min’, honey — Aunt Bet- 
tie’ll have somethin’ fur de occasion — 
it’s a shame dat doctah won’t let Cap- 
tain Gordon hab no pie nor nuthin’, 
but makes him eat jest dem beat 
biscuits, when he likes de soft ones so 


24 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


much de best. I’ll be ready, chile, on 
de day ’fore Christmas, so don’ you 
worry yourse’f ’bout me.” 

‘‘But you mus’n’t make him anything 
that is bad for him. Aunt Bettie. He 
can’t eat the plum pudding, and other 
rich goodies like the rest of us, you 
know, because he is too ill and the 
doctor won’t allow it,” answered Alsie 
anxiously. 

“I’ll ’member all dat,” laughed Aunt 
Bettie reassuringly, as the child de- 
parted from the kitchen, but a feeling 
of sadness came to the faithful old 
soul as she recalled the festivities of 
the year before, when Christmas dinner 
had been prepared for the whole family 
of children and grandchildren, and the 
thought of how the dear head of the 
family had enjoyed that occasion 
brought tears to her eyes. 


Such conversations were being held 
every day, and the days were passing. 


25 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 

too, with astonishing rapidity, just as 
they always do when one is deeply 
interested in some absorbing project. 

Aunt Alice had been receiving, daily, 
numerous letters — several containing 
checks — and little Alsie’s correspond- 
ence had suddenly grown to enormous 
proportions. 

Uncle Dick came in one evening, and 
slipping a gold piece into his sister’s 
hand remarked, “/ can’t think of a 
thing for that pie, Alice. I’m sorry 
to be so stupid, but I’ll have to ask 
you to take this and see what your 
clever brain can do with it.” 

”0, Dick, it will make a grand ‘plum’ 
for the pie. I’ll put it in, just in this 
form, for I want all the money en- 
trusted to me, as agent, to go toward 
providing for father, comforts and lux- 
uries, such as we might not be able to 
afford under ordinary circumstances. 
And yet, it’s almost impossible to know 
exactly how to spend it just now,” re- 
plied Alice. After a little pause she 


26 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


added, “I believe I’ll just put the gold 
pieces and checks into a little box and 
label it, ‘Fruit for the Pie.’ My biggest 
check may truly be termed a peach, and 
I can convert one or two others into 
plums and raisins.” 

“I think I know of several plums that 
will be forthcoming if that’s your idea, 
sis— it’s a capital one, too,” answered 
Dick. ‘‘I confess I’m getting quite in- 
terested in the contents myself, and two 
or three times I’ve come near asking 
about the progress of the pie, before 
mother, forgetting that she’s to share 
in the great surprise.” 

“O, Dick, do be careful, for we have 
arranged it all so nicely, and in another 
week we’ll be making up that pie, so 
don’t spoil our plans now, for how 
much more father will enjoy it if his 
dear little ‘wifey’ shares the pleasure 
also. And, by the way, Dick, that 
reminds me of something that must go 
in for mother. A few days ago, when I 
was sitting with father, he directed me 


27 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


to get a trifling gift for mother, but 
with his old-time humor he said, ‘I be- 
lieve the most acceptable gift that I 
could make Wifey would be all the re- 
ceipts of the bills that have come in, for 
the little woman has worried consider- 
ably over the number and amounts. I 
got in a pretty good check several days 
ago, but ril not give any gifts this year 
— the money must go to pay these ex- 
tra expenses that have been inevi- 
table. I wish you’d see to it that Wifey 
has as big a bunch as possible of 
receipted bills. It’s the best I can do 
this year, and you all understand.’” 

‘‘Wasn’t it dear of him, Dick, and 
who but father would have thought of 
making a joke of something, which 
might seem to some, only a trying 
duty?” 

“It just shows us again the sort of 
manly man father has always been ; but 
Alice, I had an idea that it would be a 
nice thing to take that little poem 
father wrote to mother last Christmas — 


28 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


the one he presented with his gift — and 
have an illuminated copy made of it 
for mother’s gift this Christmas. It 
pleased her so much at the time, and, 
in this form, it could be framed pret- 
tily and hung over her bed. You re- 
member the lines — I have them in my 
pocket now.” 

He unfolded the sheet of paper, and 
handed it to Alice, who read aloud : 

MY BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT. 


Some two score years, and more ago, 
A father gave his child away: 

It was a Christmas gift, you know. 
Because ’twas done on Christmas 
Day. 

That little maid was given to me; 

I took her then for weal or woe. 

The years have passed so happily 
It does not seem so long ago. 

No other gift in any year 

Has e’er excelled, or equaled this; 
The others evanescent were 
While this has shed perennial bliss. 


29 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


For it has multiplied with time 
And added blessings, year by year; 
She came to me in youthful prime 
And still remains, though in the sere. 

Her children, and their children, too, 

In number, just about a score, — 

I count, as blessings, to her due : 

May God repeat His gift once more. 

My little wifey, always dear. 

When Christmas comes, I think 
back then 

And greet you with increasing cheer. 
My Christmas Gift, returned again. 

“It’s a beautiful idea, Dick, but it 
won’t do now. There’s too much 
pathos in it for this occasion. When 
I read the lines myself, I am blinded 
with tears, for I realize all too keenly 
that we may not have him another 
Christmas. Some time, it may be a 
great comfort to mother to have, it. 
Keep the idea in mind and work it out 
some day.” 

So the little poem was folded up and 
laid away for another year. 


30 


IV. 


Several days passed and grandfather 
seemed to improve. The spirit of 
Christmas pervaded everything, and 
even the invalid playfully asked Alsie 
if she could give him a hint as to what 
he might find in his sock on the event- 
ful morning. Uncle Dick had been 
instructed to bring home all the Santa 
Claus posters that might be found in 
the newspaper office or bookshop, and 
there was already quite a stack of col- 
ored pictures on hand, showing Santa 
Claus in every stage of his wonderful 
yearly trip round the earth. Both 
Alices had spent some time selecting the 
little white Santa and sleigh for the top 
of the pie. The reindeer were hitched, 
tandem style, to the sleigh, harnessed 
and reined with the gayest red ribbon. 

The packages and letters began to 


31 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


come, in considerable numbers, during 
the next few days, and several more 
“plums” were given into Alice’s care, 
not to mention the dates, raisins, cur- 
rants, and the like, for every check or 
coin was classified with the fruit, for 
filling of the pie. It began to look 
as if that pie was to be a very rich one 
after all. 

One morning, several days before 
Christmas, Mrs. Gordon came out of 
the sick-chamber, to the breakfast 
table, with a beaming face, saying: 

“Captain Gordon spent the best night 
he has had in months, and he feels so 
bright and well that he wants to be 
brought into the library and rest 
awhile on the couch there.” 

What joy this announcement brought 
to them all! The rolling chair was 
drawn forth, and little Alsie led the 
way from one room to another with feet 
that fairly danced. 

No ill effects followed the experiment, 
and it was repeated the next day with 


32 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


even greater success. It really appear- 
ed that some of the most persistent fea- 
tures of Captain Gordon’s illness were 
yielding, perhaps, to the treatment — 
at any rate, the beloved invalid was 
better, and the leaden weight of ap- 
prehension, which had so burdened the 
hearts of each one of them, was disap- 
pearing and a wonderful joy was tak- 
ing its place. 

A white- winged, invisible guest had 
arrived, before time, to spend the 
Christmas tide with them. It was the 
Angel of Hope, sent by the pitying 
hand of the Father in Heaven, and with 
it came peace, joy, love, and merriment. 

What a host of Christmas cards came 
in, on the morning mail, just preceding 
Christmas Day. Little Alsie was almost 
wild to begin work on the pie. After 
breakfast. Aunt Alice said calmly, 
“Alsie, come with me, for I have an 
important errand, and would like to 
have company.” 

“O, Auntee, how can you be so com- 


33 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


posed when there’s such a big pile of 
bundles in your bedroom closet, and 
have you seen the lovely palm sent to 
grandfather by the members of his lit- 
erary club? It’s a beauty, and so big 
that it looks almost like a small tree!” 
They wended their way to Alice’s 
room, and locked the door. Going to 
the closet, Alice brought forth the larg- 
est round hat-box that any of them had 
ever seen. It must have been two 
feet or more in diameter, but it was 
only seven or eight inches high. 

The Christmas paper was next brought 
out, and what a wonderful variety there 
was — Santa Claus, in all phases of his 
yearly trip, was pictured on some rolls, 
while festoons of holly and ribbon were 
outlined against a background of white 
on others. 

After considerable discussion and com- 
paring of effects, it was finally decided 
that the outside crust of the pie 
should be of white paper, decorated in 
holly and ribbon, so the needles and 


34 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


pastepot were both used in preparing 
the lower portion of the box. The top 
was treated in an entirely different 
fashion. It was covered over with the 
whitest of white cotton batting, and the 
glistening little sleigh was securely fas- 
tened to the center of the top. Frag- 
ments of the cotton fell over the edges, 
and when Alice sprinkled over this, the 
“diamond dust,” it looked as if real 
icicles were dropping from a bank of 
glistening snow. 

“Auntee, it’s the prettiest thing I’ve 
ever seen!” exclaimed Alsie enthusiasti- 
cally, after the lining had been neatly 
pasted in. 

Then began the work of fixing up the 
packages to fill the pie. Aunt Bettie’s 
contribution was unique — a beaten-bis- 
cuit gentleman, some twelve inches 
tall, who was certainly most “fearfully 
and wonderfully” made. The* eyes, 
which had been so carefully put in with 
a fork, were a little too close together, 
and the dough nose, which had been 


35 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


SO anxiously applied, had risen unduly 
in the baking, to the great detriment 
of the biscuit gentleman’s appearance. 
The mouth was all right, however — big 
and smiling. His legs looked very 
much like he had a bad case of loco- 
motor ataxia, but the buttons on his 
coat were quite regular and his arms 
hung at his sides like ramrods. 

After careful inspection which oc- 
casioned considerable laughter, the 
beaten-biscuit man was rolled up in 
tissue paper and placed in a Christ- 
mas box “just his size.” On the card 
was this message: “The Bible says, 
‘Love your enemies’ — here is an 
enemy for you to conquer,” for it was 
a well-known fact that grandfather 
found it hard to overcome his dislike 
of the “hardtack,” as he denominated 
the beaten biscuit prepared for him. 

The doctor’s turkey was next inspect- 
ed — a nice little brown roasted fowl 
in appearance, but in reality one of the 
cunning little pasteboard devices that 


36 



AUNT BETTIE’S CONTRIBUTION WAS UNIQUE— A BEATEN- 
BISCUIT GENTLEMAN. SOME TWELVE INCHES TALL. 




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GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


Alsie had so often seen in the con- 
fectioners’ shops. There was plenty of 
stuffing too, for Dr. Emerson had filled 
it full of pills and capsules. There 
were pink pills and blue pills and green 
pills and lavender pills, and hidden 
among them was the prescription, with 
one end sticking out of the opening. 
It read: “For Captain Gordon — Pills 
of every color, size, and variety, war- 
ranted to cure every known pain or 
ache — to be taken with your Christmas 
pie.” The little turkey was carefully 
wrapped in tissue paper and garnished 
with a spray of holly. 

Next came the tiny basket of fresh 
eggs from the merry little next-door 
neighbor, whose big, fine chickens had 
been coaxed to lay a dozen eggs for 
the Christmas pie. The basket would 
not hold the dozen — O no! for its 
greatest capacity was four; but the 
remaining eight were set away in a safe 
corner of the pantry. The four eggs 
were laid in a perfect nest of red and 


37 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


white tissue paper, and holly and ribbon 
were twined round the edges and handle 
of the basket. On the card was written 
the following bit of rhyme: 

“Now, what can be nicer 
Than for folks to remember 
The friends that they love 
With fresh eggs in December?” 

“We shall have to get help, Alsie — 
just look at the books to be put in, and 
half the presents sent by the children 
must be wrapped and tied up, for you 
know every single thing must have a 
ribbon attached, by which it is to be 
pulled out of the pie.” 

So Alsie was cautiously sent out to 
get her cousin Emily, the oldest grand- 
daughter in the family, a quiet young 
girl of fourteen, who was exceedingly 
fond of reading. 

“For goodness sake, let’s get the 
books all in the pie before Emily gets 
here, Auntee, for she will want to read 
a little out of each one to see what it is 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


like, and we’ll get no help from her,” 
exclaimed Alsie. 

Aunt Alice laughed, and replied, “Well, 
we must get through this work some- 
how, for Uncle Dick is coming out 
early this afternoon with the cedar, 
holly, and mistletoe, and will help us 
decorate the library. Speaking of 
cedar, let me show you what dear Aunt 
Cecile has sent in her Christmas box, 
besides the gifts.” 

Taking off the top, Alice lifted out a 
huge bunch of beautiful galax leaves 
and another of the daintiest sprays of 
evergreen. 

“Just a suggestion of the bracing 
mountain air which you are to enjoy 
with me as soon as you are well enough 
to travel,” was the message that came 
with it, for Aunt Cecile lived far away 
in a mountain climate, and was deeply 
disappointed at not being able to 
spend this holiday season at home, as 
she had intended. All sorts of curi- 
ously shaped packages were taken out 


39 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


and laid aside for the various members 
of the household, but the largest share 
wasi to go in the pie. Tiny Bess had 
made a big shaving-ball at kindergarten, 
and this was sent to grandfather with a 
Christmas greeting. Bobby’s contri- 
bution was a highly decorated three- 
layer blotter with grandfather’s name 
and address in red ink on the top layer. 
It was not a thing of beauty, being the 
work of his own clumsy little hands, 
but he felt sure it would be appreciated, 
for he had heard grandfather wish so 
often that “somebody” wouldn’t take 
away the blotters from his desk. 

“I have such a cute little lemon that 
I want to put in the pie, Auntee, and 
yet I don’t know exactly how to work 
it in. It would be too unkind to say 
that anybody would ‘hand out a lemon’ 
to dear, sick grandfather, but it’s so 
tiny and cunning — hardly bigger than 
a lime. The groceryman found it in a 
box of lemons and gave it to me, asking 
if I needed anything that size for the 


40 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


pie — you know I told him all about it. 
He said there was nothing in his 
Christmas stock too good for the 
Captain, and he’d like to send some- 
thing, but it really seemed like all his 
goodies were forbidden fruit.” 

“We’ll put the message in with the 
lemon, Alsie, and that will make it 
both funny and kind.” So the tiny 
specimen was done up in a dainty box 
and on the large card was written : ‘ ‘The 
groceryman offered his choice stock of 
figs, dates, confections, and fruits for 
Captain Gordon’s Christmas pie, but 
found nothing acceptable but a small- 
sized lemon, which he presents with the 
hope that it will furnish all the tartness 
necessary.” 

“Have you opened Aunt Margie’s box 
yet?” was the question asked by Alsie 
as the work of filling the pie was draw- 
ing to a close. 

“I opened that some days ago,” re- 
plied Alice, with a smile. “There were 
a good many things in that box for 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


general distribution, and, by the 3 way, 
Alsie, this goes into the pie, but 1 think 
it will interest you as much as feather.’' 

She had stepped to her dress^T, and 
opened a drawer while speaki ng, and 
now held up to view what sf^emed to 
be simply an envelope. On t urning it 
over, however, a pretty little border of 
holly was disclosed, painted around the 
edges. “A Reminiscence” was written 
in the center. 

“What is it, Auntee?” exekimed Aisle, 
reaching out her hand. 

“We’ll let you guess aw lile, dearie. 

I am going to drop it in t^e pie new, 
and that will be one of surprises 
that you will enjoy with grandpa.” 

Alsie was quite curious ov^er the R m- 
iniscence, and wondered ivhat it could 
contain to be of such in|terest to ?ier. 

“Well, I won’t have fo wait hng, 
anyhow,” she finally e^fclaimed, mth 
a laugh. ' 

“One of the presents wll have to ^tay 
on ice until to-morrow morning, ex- 


43 


GRA NDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


plained Alsie to Emily, “but we’ll show 
you the card. It’s from Mr. McDon- 
ald, the druggist. He’s been on a little 
hunting trip and this morning sent over 
the finest, fattest little quail you ever 
saw. On the card was written: ‘Dear 
Captain: I filled this prescription for 
you myself, independent of the doctors, 
but I think they will approve. Take 
it to-morrow at one o’clock and see if 
you don’t feel better.’ Isn’t it a 
cunning idea? It is to be the last thing 
put in before grandfather is brought 
into the library, Emily, so don’t let us 
forget it.” 

“I won’t,” promised Emily; “but 
where are you going to put all those 
bottles of wine and brandy. Aunt Alice? 
Do you think the pie will hold them?” 

“If that problem puzzles you, just 
how do you suppose we are going to get 
this in the pie?” replied Alice, lifting 
from its position behind the bed a 
box so huge that the pie itself seemed 
almost diminutive in comparison. 


43 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


‘'O, Auntee,” cried Alsie in astonish- 
ment, “do tell us what it is!” 

For answer Alice set the box on the 
bed, untied the string, and lifted off 
the top. A dainty and beautiful silken 
comfort was disclosed to the view of 
the admiring group. The background 
was of white, and scattered over it were 
clusters of the most exquisitely colored 
pink roses and green leaves. The edges 
were prettily bound with satin ribbon 
of an old-rose shade, and a huge bow 
adorned the center. 

“It is made of the warmest and softest 
wool, and every stitch was put in by 
hand,” murmured Alice softly, smooth- 
ing the comfort caressingly. “It is 
beautiful to look at, but by far the 
most beautiful part to father will be 
the thought that every one of his 
teachers wished to have a hand in the 
giving of his Christmas gift, and to this 
end they came together, with needles 
and thimbles, and the stitches were 
veritably put in with love.” 


44 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


“But the pie won’t hold it, Aunt 
Alice — what are you going to do about 
it?” inquired practical little Emily. 

“This big box goes behind the piano, 
and any other packages that can’t be 
accommodated inside the pie, will be 
hidden around in various other little 
corners of the room. My plan is to 
have the cards in the pie, however, and 
as they are drawn out, the directions 
as to where the i ickages they represent 
are deposited, can be followed. Is that 
a good idea, Alsie, or do you think of 
something better?” 

“It can’t be improved upon, Auntee — 
you always think of the best plans. 
But let’s hurry up now and finish, for 
the pie is about as full as it will hold.” 

A half hour more of work, and the pie 
was finished. 


V. 


The workers were all quite ready to do 
justice to the lunch spread out for them 
by Aunt Bettie. Uncle Dick came in 
during the meal, exclaiming, “O, do 
save me a sandwich, Alsie, for I’m 
almost starved!” 

“Where’s the holly? Did you get any 
mistletoe? Are there any wreaths? 
Is there plenty of cedar?” were the 
questions poured out upon him before 
he had opportunity to sit down. 

“Yes, to all the questions, and I’ll be- 
gin work just as soon as I rest a bit and 
eat a bite,” laughingly answered Uncle 
Dick. “Does that satisfy all parties?” 

Uncle Dick was a great favorite with 
the children in the family — he loved 
them and seemed to find genuine 
pleasure in playing, talking, and romp- 
ing with the “small fry,” so it was not 


46 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


surprising that they should take almost 
complete possession of him whenever 
he came. 

‘*Your father’s improvement con- 
tinues,” said Mrs. Gordon with a 
happy smile, in reply to her son’s 
question as to how the invalid was 
feeling. “He seems so bright and well 
to-day and sat in the invalid chair this 
morning for more than an hour. I 
think he is surely gaining strength at 
last.” 

“He’s looking forward toward to- 
morrow with lots of pleasure, too,” said 
Alsie. “Yesterday, when I was in his 
room, he asked what I expected to 
find in my stocking, and playfully 
suggested that he and I would have to 
be careful not to get our stockings 
mixed. Do you know. Uncle Dick, I 
had hardly given a moment’s thought 
to what I was going to get, for I 

have been so busy ” 

Alsie caught herself just in time to 
keep from disclosing the secret to the 


47 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


busy little grandmother, who, a few 
moments later, hurried out of the 
dining room to resume once more her 
position in the sick-chamber. 

“Look out the window, Alsie!” ex- 
claimed Emily at this point, “it looks 
like our hopes for a white Christmas are 
going to be realized.” 

Sure enough, the snow was falling 
fast and the ground already began to 
look white. 

“If it just keeps up, Auntee, won’t we 
have a beautiful Christmas?” exclaimed 
Alsie enthusiastically. Alice had been 
looking out, too, and the shadow of 
doubt pulled at her heart-strings. 

Could it be the last Christmas — O, 
surely such a terrible sorrow was not 
in store for them all! What would the 
merry season be without him? 

These were the thoughts that flashed 
through her mind, but at the sound of 
the dear little voice beside her, she 
dismissed them and answered cheerily, 
“I think we are going to have a beauti- 


48 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


ful Christmas — in every way — but it’s 
time to be about our work now. Ask 
Uncle Dick if he left the cedar out on 
the porch.” 

The cedar was brought in — likewise 
the holly and mistletoe — and oh, how 
pretty the red berries looked, and how 
pretty the garlands of evergreen looked 
when tied up with the crimson ribbons! 

“How do you like these?” called 
Uncle Dick as he smoothed out a great 
roll of posters. “I picked them up 
around the office, and thought they 
would help in the decorations.” 

Alsie and Emily were filled with 
delight at sight of the great colored 
newspaper sheets, covered with all 
manner of pictures of the dear old 
saint. There he was just ready to 
climb down the chimney — another post- 
er pictured him on his annual journey 
driving his reindeer over the snowy 
ground. And so on — it seemed as if 
every stage of the Christmas trip had 
been photographed in colors. 


49 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


“I will pin this life-sized portrait of 
Santa Claus over the fireplace here,” 
said Uncle Dick, “and you two girlies 
may get busy at once making garlands 
of evergreen to drape about him, and 
also over these others, for they must all 
have a touch of green; isn’t that so, 
Alice?” 

“By all means,” answered his sister, 
with a laugh. “It’s really a very 
clever idea, Dick, to bring all these 
posters out, for they give a festive 
touch to our decorations.” 

After two hours of hard work, in 
which hammer, nails, and stepladder 
played a considerable part, the library 
was almost transformed in appearance. 
Every window and picture was fes- 
tooned with Christmas green, and the 
merry face of Santa Claus was visible 
from the bookcases, the desk, and many 
other nooks about the room. 

“What about the pie, Auntee? Aren’t 
we ready for it now?” questioned 
Alsie and Emily with impatience. 


50 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


as a general survey of the room was 
taken. 

“This is just the time where we will 
have to be very careful,” was the 
reply. “Alsie, suppose you and Emily 
offer to walk out with grandmother 
when she goes to meet Aunt Martha 
and little James, on the five o’clock 
train, and as soon as you get her safely 
out of the house Uncle Dick can bring 
the pie and other things into the li- 
brary, where we can all have a hand in 
fixing it up later. Of course I shall carry 
the key to the library the rest of the 
evening, for after keeping the secret 
this long, I am determined that mother 
shall have as much of the surprise and 
pleasure as father.” 

Seeing a look of disappointment on 
the two little faces at the idea of being 
banished just at the most interesting 
stage of the fun, Alice continued re- 
assuringly, “It is almost train time 
now, chicks, and you know I can’t go 
with grandmother to-day, so practice 


51 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


the Golden Rule and run along. 
After your return from the station, you 
may come again to the library for, as 
you know, grandmother will want to 
have a good hour’s conversation with 
Aunt Martha before tea-time.” 

No further urging was necessary. The 
two girls skipped away cheerfully, and 
a few minutes later were out in the 
snowstorm with the little grandmother 
between them, all three being well 
bundled up in coats and overshoes. 

In less than an hour they had re- 
turned, the greetings were over, 
grandmother had taken Aunt Martha 
off to her room for the predicted chat, 
and the two little girls were taking their 
cousin James to the library. He had 
been told about the pie and was 
curious to know what it really looked 
like, for James was not gifted with a 
vivid imagination. 

He soon found out, however. Aunt 
Alice had covered over the entire top 
of the old mahogany library table with 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


soft cotton, and hanging from the edges 
was a deep border of the lovely Christ- 
mas paper which is used so much 
in these latter days for decorations. 
Around the edges were laid sprays of 
the rarer and more delicate evergreen 
sent from the South by the loving 
daughter. In the center rose the pie, 
and over all was sprinkled the glisten- 
ing powder, which gave the whole an 
appearance of real snow. It was, in 
truth, a wonderful creation, and the 
children gazed at the lovely vision in 
speechless delight. 

“The big box, containing the comfort, 
is behind the piano, James, and there 
are lots of other things, too big to go 
in the pie, stowed away in the various 
corners of the room, but the cards are 
all in the pie, and each tells just where 
to find a package. Some lovely flowers 
and plants have been sent in this after- 
noon, but we’ll wait until morning 
to bring them into the library. There 
is the couch close beside the fireplace. 


53 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


and if dear father is just able to be 
brought in to-morrow I think he will 
fully enjoy the Christmas we have had 
so much pleasure in preparing for him. 
Suppose we go out now, for it is tea- 
time, and, besides, almost everything 
has been done.” 

So saying, Alice turned to the door. 
The little party hastened out, and its 
members were soon engaged in a romp 
with Uncle Dick in the sitting room. 


54 


VI. 

A MORE beautiful Christmas Day could 
scarcely have been imagined than 
dawned the next morning. The earth 
was covered with a carpet of snow, 
and the trees seemed to glisten with 
diamonds as the sun rose, although 
the air was crisp and frosty. 

“Merry Christmas!” sounded in 
Alice’s ears before she had fully wak- 
ened, and looking round with a some- 
what sleepy expression she beheld the 
form of her beloved pet, arrayed in 
pink dressing-gown and slippers. A 
beaming smile adorned the face of the 
little girl, although the greeting had 
been so subdued as to be scarcely 
more than a whisper. 

“I just couldn’t wait to show you 
how well I look in them!” exclaimed 


55 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


Alsie as she jumped into bed with 
Alice, and almost smothered her with 
hugs and kisses. “You can always 
think of the prettiest things for me, 
dear Auntee, and I do love pink so 
dearly,” she continued with an affec- 
tionate glance at the pretty slippers, 
adorned with the daintiest of ribbon 
rosettes. 

“Did grandfather have a good night? 
Do you think he will be able to come 
into the library?” 

“One question at a time, dear. I 
rather think father had a good rest, for 
I heard the nurse only once during the 
night, and that is a good indication. 
If he is as well as he was yesterday, I 
feel sure Dick can bring him into the 
library, and the couch is there, so that 
he can lie down if he gets tired.” 

Almost an hour was spent in showing 
the contents of Alsie’s stocking and 
discussing plans for the day. 

“Perhaps we had better get dressed 
now, and be ready for breakfast when 
it comes, but of course we mustn’t 


.56 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


disturb father, even though it is Christ- 
mas morning,” said Alice with a smile, 
and she began to make haste with her 
toilet. 

“Have you ever noticed what a long 
wait people have for breakfast on 
Christmas morning, Auntee?” 

“That’s because some people rise at 
such unearthly hours,” answered Alice 
with a laugh, “but run along now, 
Alsie, and let’s see which will be dressed 
first.” 

An hour later found the family 
grouped around the breakfast table. 
Each member had been in to the sick- 
room and given his greeting to the dear 
invalid, who had appeared so bright 
and cheerful that he seemed almost like 
his old merry self. When Alsie was 
recounting to him all the pretty things 
she had found in her stocking, he said, 
teasingly, “Now don’t get into mine, 
too — I’m going to wait until Uncle 
Dick and his little tots come before I 
take my allotted hour in the library.” 


57 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


By ten o’clock Uncle Dick’s family 
had arrived, and the big, stalwart son 
went into the sick-room to assist the 
pale, weak father into the library. A 
pang came to the heart of the former 
as he . thought of what a contrast was 
this Christmas with the one of a 
year before, when the now wasted form 
had been so vigorous and handsome. 
A feeling of misgiving came as to 
what the next Christmas would bring 
to them. 

When the chair was rolled into the 
library, what a sight was displayed to 
the wondering eyes of the astonished 
old gentleman! 

The room was almost transformed in 
appearance with the elaborate decora- 
tions, and, added to this feast for the 
eyes, was the perfume of fresh flowers, 
for several boxes of roses and carna- 
tions had come in with Christmas 
greetings during the early hours of the 
morning. 

Grandfather’s breath was almost tak- 


58 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


en away. He looked at the eager 
faces gathered all round him, and said 
helplessly, “What does it mean? I 
don’t exactly understand.” 

“It’s your Christmas pie, grandfather, 
for we couldn’t let the day go by with- 
out your having a taste. When you 
find all the good things that are in that 
pie I don’t think you’ll feel slighted, 
even if Aunt Bettie’s mince pie is 
denied,” exclaimed Alsie enthusiasti- 
cally. 

“Yes, light in,” added Uncle Dick, 
“and I’m here to help you, so we’ll 
station ourselves around the fire and 
all assist you to enjoy it, slice by slice.” 

For a little while, however, it was only 
inspected, as Alice told the story of 
how the idea had come to little Alsie, 
and how all of them had assisted in 
working it out. Uncle Dick finally 
lifted off the top and a perfect network 
of narrow Christmas ribbons was dis- 
closed. 

“Each ribbon holds a dainty morsel,” 


59 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


said Emily, as grandfather reached 
forth his hand to grasp one. The first 
“draw” was a fortunate one, for it 
proved to be a tender note of love and 
greeting from one of his most faithful 
and valued friends. The next brought 
forth Aunt Bettie’s biscuit man, which 
looked so funny that every one burst 
into laughter. Then books and pres- 
ents of many varieties followed. Every 
few minutes a card would be drawn 
out bearing a message from some dear 
relative or friend in a distant city or 
State. These tender reminders that 
so many of his friends were thinking of 
him with affection and sending him 
such cordial good wishes and hopes for 
recovery seemed to please Captain 
Gordon greatly. 

As for the little “wifey” — she just sat 
at her husband’s side and enjoyed the 
same measure of surprise and pleasure. 

The package of receipted bills — gor- 
geously done up in Christmas style — 
was not forgotten, and brought forth 


CO 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


the predicted satisfaction, even if there 
was considerable laughing also. 

‘‘Handle this with care,” laughed 
Uncle Dick, as he gayly lifted out the 
tiny basket of eggs. “This is one slice 
of the pie at least that you can eat.” 

The lemon was pulled out in the course 
of time and proved not to be too sour 
for enjoyment. Alsie waited patiently 
for the envelope containing the “Remin- 
iscence,” and at last, when it came 
forth, she drew very close to grand- 
father to watch him open it. A puzzled 
look was on his face as he unfolded 
several yellow sheets of paper and 
recognized his own handwriting. He 
began to read a few lines, however, and 
a kindly smile spread over his coun- 
tenance. 

“I rather think this will interest 
somebody else, too. Suppose you read 
it aloud, Dick,” remarked grandfather. 

It was dated ten years before, and 
proved to be one of the vivid, interest- 
ing letters that none could write so 


61 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


well as Captain Gordon. It was writ- 
ten at the time of Alice’s memorable 
year’s trip abroad with some friends. 
Alsie was then a tiny girl of two years. 
The letter gave a detailed account 
of one of baby’s escapades. It read 
as follows: 

‘‘The Old Kentucky Home. 
“My dear Alice: 

“It pleases me greatly to know that 
my young daughter is having such a 
glorious time abroad with her friends, 
even though I do miss her sorely at 
home. The letter written by me a day 
or two ago, which will probably reach 
you along with this, informs you that we 
are all well at home, and it contains as 
much neighborhood gossip as Wifey 
was able to think of at the hour of my 
writing, along with considerable in- 
struction about certain points in sight- 
seeing. Your letter this morning, tell- 
ing the amusing little story of the 
Italian baby, made me wonder if you 
wouldn’t like a ‘baby letter’ in return. 
So here is the answer: 

“Last Sunday morning your little 


62 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


namesake was dressed up in her pretti- 
est white dress, with an abundance of 
blue ribbon adornment, and seated on 
the front porch, with careful instruc- 
tion not to soil her clothes but to wait 
for mother to get ready to escort her 
to Sunday-school. It developed later 
that the first part of the injunction 
seemed to make an impression to the 
exclusion of the last order. At any 
rate, Alsie’s mamma was somewhat 
delayed in her preparations, and when, 
twenty minutes or half an hour later, 
she appeared on the porch, no baby 
was in sight. A number of calls 
brought forth no response ; a messenger 
was dispatched to the back lot, where 
the dandelions grow, another to the 
north side of the house, where the little 
maiden has been so occupied recently 
picking violets, while still other couriers 
were hastily despatched to all the 
neighbors. The report came back from 
all — no baby girl had been seen by 
anybody. The situation began to be 
a little alarming. The messengers were 
again started out, with instructions to 
go farther and report at once if any 
trace was found. 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


“Ten or fifteen minutes passed, and 
by this time Alsie’s mamma was in a 
most excited state of mind, as you 
may well imagine, and felt perfectly 
sure that the little curly-headed damsel 
had been kidnaped. She was re- 
proaching herself roundly for putting 
such a tempting morsel of humanity 
right into the hands of the cruel villians, 
when a sharp ring of the telephone 
brought the remnant of the family, 
who were not on searching duty, flying 
to the table in the hall, which as you 
know holds the receiver. 

“Being the least agitated member of 
the group, I boldly called ‘hello,’ and 
was asked by a masculine voice if Mrs. 
Stratton’s little daughter didn’t have 
blue eyes and brown hair and if she 
wore a white dress with blue 

“It was not necessary to finish the 
description. My informant then stat- 
ed that the little lady in question was 
at that moment occupying a high seat 
on top of the counter at the drug store, 
which you know is some five blocks 
away, and was surrounded by an ad- 
miring group of men and boys, to whom 
she was affably chatting. He said 


64 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


that she refused to be led away, but 
was quite happy to eat the candy, chew 
the gum, and play with the various 
other offerings that were handed out 
by the amused group of auditors. 

“Of course I started at once, and a 
few moments later I walked in on the 
baby, who was sitting, according to 
description, on the counter, explaining, 
‘Must keep dress kean — mamma take 
me Sunny Sool.’ When I entered she 
held out her little hands to me with 
such an innocent, happy smile that I 
had not the heart to scold; but it was 
some time before I could persuade her 
to return to poor mamma, to whom the 
scant hour’s parting seemed almost a 
year. 

“You can imagine the rest of the 
story, but to relieve your misgivings I’ll 
assure you that the cunning little tot 
escaped the well-merited punishment. 

“This is quite a letter, so I’ll wait a 
few days to write again. As you’re 
probably in France by this time. I’ll 
close my letter with an au revoir. 
Yours, &c., 

R. A. Gordon.” 

Alsie’s cheeks glowed with excitement 


65 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


during the reading of this letter, and at 
its close she exclaimed, “O, Auntee, 
have you had it all these years and 
never showed it to me?” 

“It was among my foreign letters, 
dear, and I had not thought of it for 
some time, but I well remember what 
a pleasure it was to read that letter and 
hear of the escapade of the dear little 
baby namesake at home. I have al- 
ways meant to show it to you when 
you were old enough to enjoy it,” 
answered Alice. 

After a good deal of laughter and 
comments among the various members 
of the family, the card bearing the 
order to look behind the piano on the 
left side was pulled out of the pie, and 
Uncle Dick was dispatched for the 
package. It proved to be the huge 
box containing the silken coverlet. 
Grandmother’s enthusiasm was awak- 
ened at the sight, and she commented 
many times on its softness, warmth, 
and beauty. 


66 


GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE 


Books, cards, and gifts of all descrip- 
tions from the little tots, were taken 
out, inspected and complimented, to 
the immense satisfaction of the younger 
members of the family and the enter- 
tainment of the older ones of the 
group. 

It really seemed impossible to empty 
that pie, but after an hour or more had 
been spent in the occupation the rib- 
bons began to grow thin. 

“This is to be the last one,” said Alice, 
slipping her hand over a ribbon that 
Captain Gordon was just about to 
pick up. 

“All right — ^just as you like. There 
have been so many goodies in this pie 
that I hardly see how it would be 
possible for anything better to be saved 
for the last,” answered Captain Gordon 
with a loving smile. 

The last ribbon was finally drawn, 
and tied to the end was the “box of 
fruit” that Alice had taken such pains 
to make attractive. Captain Gordon 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


slowly untied the ribbon and took the 
top off the box. He picked up a small 
sealed envelope bearing the inscription, 
'‘A plum from Dick,” and in it was a 
shining gold piece. Each little envel- 
ope (and there were quite a number) 
contained a peach, a plum, a raisin, a 
currant, or a date. The “plums” were 
all gold pieces, but the checks were put 
in under other names — according to 
their value — and the silver pieces and 
bright pennies were all in the raisin 
and currant envelopes. 

One envelope, bearing the name 
“Date,” when opened disclosed a small 
card on which was written: 

CHRISTMAS DAY. 

When I “call to see” you, this “date” 
will be exchanged for a “plum.” 

HAROLD. 

This occasioned a laugh, and Mrs. 
Gordon began at once to sum up the 
total. 

“It’s to buy you anything you want — 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


a comfort and luxury fund,” explained 
Alice, “and all the members of the 
family join together in giving it.” 

“Grandfather, we hardly knew what 
to call your pie. It was not a chicken 
pie, even though it did contain a bird 
and a turkey. It was not a lemon pie, 
even if there was a lemon in it. It 
could not be called an apple, peach, 
cherry or mince pie, though there 
was plenty of fruit in that box, wasn’t 
there?” said Alsie, with a laugh, when 
everything had been examined. 

“I think I shall call it my ‘Love Pie,’ 
for never was a pie so highly seasoned or 
delightfully flavored with love as this 
has been,” answered grandfather softly, 
“and I want the dear little girl who 
thought of it to know that I have 
enjoyed it more than any pie that I 
have ever eaten.” 

The invalid was a little wearied with 
the unusual excitement of the morning, 
and was soon ordered back to his bed 
for a little rest. 


69 


GRANDFATHER^S LOVE PIE 


In the afternoon Alice went into the 
sick-room for a chat, while her mother 
went out for a little walk in the fresh, 
crisp air. 

She told her father of how the silken 
comfort had been planned and made, 
and Captain Gordon, after a long 
pause, turned to her with what seemed 
to Alice the most beautiful expression 
she had ever seen on his face, and said, 
“Bring it to me, daughter.” 

She brought it forth and held it out 
to him that he might smooth its folds 
and look again at its rosy color. 

“Spread it over me, dear, and let it 
cover me — as long as I need it.” 


And it covered him for the six weeks 
that it was needed, when it was replaced 
with a coverlet of roses and lilies pro- 
vided by the same loving hands. 


70 


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